Mad Jens

Lehmann joined Arsenal in 2003 as a replacement for David Seaman. Filling in the boots of his illustrious predecessor was always going to be an uphill task for the German, something he only knew too well. In football, some transfers are doomed right from the offset while some manage to get it just right. This one tough ended up creating history..

11Gunners celebrates the above..

Having been involved in all the 38 games, his role between the sticks was to be detrimental of Arsenal’s prospects during the 03-04’ season, success or failure. He delivered the goods and in some style as well. Never known to be the most technically gifted of keepers, nor temperamentally efficient, Jens proved all his detractors wrong by showing his class time and again. Never more than in the crucial game against our bitter rivals, Manchester United at Old Trafford. Arsenal’s winning streak was hanging by the thread and late on in the game ManU were awarded a penalty. Not that Lehmann saved it, but we believe his theatrics right before VanNistelrooy took the kick was good enough. And when the Dutchman smashed his spot-kick against the bar, the beautiful game turned ugly. What ensued was a minor brawl, several players were booked, suspended and heavily fined but on a bigger note, the unbeaten streak was still alive. All through the season, the big German was up to the task entrusted upon him. Although his habit of getting jittery at intercepting crosses got him in a tangle a couple of times, his able presence was just the assurance the Arsenal ‘Back-4’ needed to ply their trade. And that they sure did with aplomb.

Arsenal won the League that year. Winning the league is one thing, doing so without tasting defeat is something else.  History was made and he became a part of it. Arsenal were the ‘Unstoppables’, the ‘Unbeatables’ and Jens Lehmann thus became an:

INVINCIBLE

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11Invincibles: Lauren(Right Back)

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11Invincibles: Kolo Toure(Central Defender)

11Invincibles: Gilberto Silva(Central Midfielder)

11Invincibles: Freddie Ljungberg(Right Midfielder)

11Invincibles: Robert Pires(Left Midfielder)

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11Invincibles: Dennis Bergkamp(Forward)

11Invincibles: Thierry Henry(Forward)